The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup: What to Expect

Once again, the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup is about to hit the world of sports. This is one of the most awaited events for basketball aficionados on a global scale. Imagine waiting four years and in between Olympic Games. That’s a long time for people who are dying to witness this major event.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup as a major international basketball series features some of the world’s exciting basketball teams. As there could only be one winner, the teams belonging to the top seven are still eligible for the upcoming Olympic Games.

This famous event had a world record of more than 3 billion TV viewership in 2019. On the other hand, social media stats recorded 1.5 billion views. You can maximize the experience of watching these momentous episodes by placing your bet early.

Look at betting possibilities at smartbettingguide.com to get ideas on which team to bet on. You may also do some research about how the teams play and how they fared in 2019.

Event schedules and venues

This event will culminate on August 25 and end on September 10, 2023. For sure, host countries are already busy preparing for another historic event basketball fans have ever known. There will be 32 teams participating coming from different countries. Thus, a total of 92 games are on the schedule over a period of 16 days across three host countries.

This year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup hosts are the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. It is the first time multiple countries are co-hosting the event. There are a few reasons why this is so. For the athletes, it can take out the monotony of having to stay and play in a single venue.

Another reason, which is favourable to the host countries, is it can boost their tourism as well as revenues. So this will be a win-win solution for both hosts and participants.

The Naismith Trophy Tour

Besides the games, there is a schedule for the trophy tour. The Naismith trophy was named after the inventor of basketball Dr. James Naismith. The tour will commence in Spain, the 2019 World Cup championship winner.

It will then make stops in all 32 participating countries. After that, it will travel to Japan, then Indonesia, and finally to the Philippines on September 10, the main event.

Power Rankings

As the qualified teams have been anointed, it is high time to check out some power rankings. This ranking is not an official one but can help in assessing each team. At this point, the world’s betting community is already consumed by predicting which team can bring them more profits.

So, without much fuss, here is the current standing for each qualifier.

The top 12 teams on the list

#1 Team USA

#2 Team Spain

#3 Team France

#4 Team Australia

#5 Team Slovenia

#6 Team Canada

#7 Team Germany

#8 Team Serbia

#9 Team Greece

#10 Team Brazil

#11 Team Finland

#12 Team Dominican Republic

Team USA is still a strong contender even though the championship was won by Spain the last time around. After coming up in seventh place in 2019, the team has assembled another roster of impressive players to tackle strong contenders. More skilled players were also added to other qualifying teams to strengthen their hold in their respective categories.

The Spanish team knows that it will face several teams with reinforced strategies. Therefore, we believe that they too, are implementing fail-safe game plans to counter their opponents’ strategies. In fact, it is not only Team USA that’s planning to snatch the crown from Spain. There are 20 other teams (not included in the top list) that await the frontrunners to commit errors, so they can join the finals.

In fact, it is not only Team USA that’s planning to snatch the crown from Spain. There are still 20 teams that await the frontrunners to commit errors, so they can join the finals. Among the stronger contenders are Serbia, France, and Greece.

Another thing to consider is that these host countries are also home to an overzealous fan base of the sport.

How will Team USA perform in this year’s FIBA World Cup?

First, let us look at the formidable team members that the U.S. has put up for the upcoming 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In this year’s Team USA, you will see that New York City’s Knicks and Nets will be represented by stars Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges. Shining All-Star players like Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards, together with the newest Rookie of the Year Banchero are included in the roster.

Ex-Knicks Bobby Portis will also grace the list and will play alongside Hart and Brunson. You can say that this dream team is made up of the best of the NBA just as they have been built the same way before. This coming together of talented players heralds positive vibes among a nation that closely follows hoopsters.

Some details are found below with the rest of Team USA members.

The Roster

Jalen Brunson (Knicks) — Guard

This player is a well-known 3-pointer. His shooting percentage is 38.6 from and beyond the rainbow, and he seems to be consistent in his game.

Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) — Guard

As part of the Timberwolves, guard Edwards can hit 2.7 3-pointers per game as evidenced by his last 3 games. He was selected as the top overall in November 2020.

Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers) — Guard

Haliburton’s average career high as a guard is 20.7 points per game and 10.4 assists last NBA season. He is an All-Star guard of the Indiana Pacers. Recently, he signed a huge five-year contract extension amounting to a maximum of $260 million.

Austin Reaves (Lakers) — Guard

This outstanding guard is known for scoring double figures not only once but 21 times, so far. Reaves is the fourth NBA rookie to score more than 30 points, more than 15 rebounds, and over 10 assists within a single game.

Paolo Banchero (Magic) — Power Forward/Small Forward

With four NBA Rookie of the Month and one NBA Rookie of the Year, plus member of one All-Rookie Team Awards, Paolo wears the #5 Orlando Magic jersey. He was drafted in 2022 and plays as both a power forward and a small forward.

Mikal Bridges (Nets) — Small Forward/Shooting Guard

As a small forward and shooting guard, Mikal shoots right and always has a high percentage of shooting average per game. Battling Miami Heat earlier in the year, made him earn 45 points.

Josh Hart (Knicks) — Small Forward/Shooting Guard

At 6’5”, defensive player Hart seems to have so much ease with his rebounding skill. His shooting ability is above par, with an average of 23.8 PPG, 4.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Brandon Ingram (Pelicans) — Small Forward

This Pelican player plays forward and averages 23.8 pts, 6.1 rebounds, as well as 4.2 assists per game. Thus, earning NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies) — Center/Power Forward

Defensive Player of the Year awardee Jaren has played in 126 games for the Grizzlies. He has a shooting percentage of 48.0% from the field, 76.5% on the free throw line, and 37.4% from the arc area.

Cam Johnson (Nets) — Power Forward/Small Forward

Cameron Johnson is a power forward/small forward player for the Nets. He joined the team in 2023 and debuted with a record of 12 pts., seven rebounds, three steals, plus seven assists.

Walker Kessler (Jazz) — Center

Kessler is one player to watch out for due to his accuracy on the hard court. His basic averages per game are 9.1 pts, 2.4 blocks within 22.4 mins per game, 8.4 rebounds, and 72.1% on field goal shooting.

Bobby Portis (Bucks) — Center / Power Forward

Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis is the team’s Power forward and was with the team when it won the NBA Championship in 2021. He has an astounding record that averages 11.2 pts, with 6.8 rebounds across 472 games.

Parting Words

By now, every country is rooting for their teams to win the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. What is real is that we can all dream, but this event can only have one winner. Now, if you are betting on one team, now is your chance to do something, and that something is performing due diligence.

You can take a look at what your favourite team can do but also look at how it compares with its powerful rivals. Some would even become bitter if the results would go the other way. Not all results will be in your favour so prepare yourself for the final outcome.

It shows that a game series such as this can make or break your dream. Not only that — it can hurt your pocket if you don’t know how to ascertain the team that’s most likely to win. Simply put, you can bet on a sure-fire winner although you can also bet on the one that is less likely to win.

Either way, just hope for the best. Whoever wins in this battle will have to contend with the next batch of players each country will include in their FIBA Basketball World Cup line-up after four years.